Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Pittsfield, MA Berkshire Permit No. 19 JEWISHA publication of the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires, serving V the Berkshires and surrounding ICE NY, CT and VT Vol. 26, No. 5 Sivan/Tammuz 5778 May 29 to July 1, 2018 jewishberkshires.org A Strong Federation is Key to a Dive Into Summer Strong Jewish Community A particularly rich season of Jewish-themed arts The Berkshires is Home and cultural programming ahead Berkshire snowbirds are notorious culture vultures, and as summer and summer people return, so does the complete array of world class arts programming that is this region’s hallmark. Dive into this issue of the BJV, in which we preview upcoming Jewish-themed arts and educational events – books, films, scholars, theater, music, and dance. Above, dancers with Israel’s Batsheva – The Young Ensemble, which will perform “Naharin’s Virus” from July 4 through July 8 at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Bernie and Elaine Roberts, our Major Donors Celebration co-chairs Festival in Becket. For more on what to expect from Batsheva, please see page 28. PITTSFIELD – The Jewish Federation Inside of the Berkshires will host its annual Extend a Hand of Companionship ...........2 Major Donors Celebration on Sunday, July 15 at 9:30 a.m. at the Country Martin Bookspan on his pal, Rabbi Josh – A Farewell Blessing ...........3 Club of Pittsfield, an event that year Your Federation Presents .....................4-11 after year has demonstrated the tre- “Lenny” mendous impact major donors have on Local News .....................................12-14, 18 building and sustaining Jewish life in A “Behind the Scenes” reminiscence of a Annual Campaign in Full Swing .............15 the region. 50-year friendship at the June 29 “We are thrilled that we have such Culture & Arts ......................................24-28 Knosh & Knowledge MAJOR DONORS, continued on page 8 By Albert Stern / BJV Editor Leonard Bernstein As I prepared to talk with viewed Yehuda Hanani (see story classical music historian, broad- on page 8), who recounted how his caster, and aficionado supreme talent was recognized by Bernstein Martin Bookspan – the longtime (and violinist Isaac Stern) on a visit host of the Live at Lincoln Center to Israel, ultimately leading to the PBS program who will be speaking Jerusalem-raised cellist’s coming about his 50-year friendship with to the United States to study his Leonard Bernstein at a special free instrument. Later that same day, Knosh & Knowledge at Tanglewood my 11-year-old son performed in on June 29 – I had a striking “six his middle school concert band degrees of separation” realization with two daughters of the late Rolf about “Lenny,” one of the true mu- Smedvig, who at age 19 was chosen sical titans of the 20th century. by Bernstein as trumpet soloist As I sat at my desk listening to for the 1971 world premiere of his Bernstein’s First Symphony composition Mass in Washington, (“Jeremiah”), I thought about how DC. just one day earlier, I had inter- BOOKSPAN, continued on page 6 Page 2 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org May 29 to July 1, 2018 In My View “Friendly Visitors” – A New Program to Extend a Hand of Companionship to Our Elders By Dara Kaufman The morning my grandmother was scheduled With Community kosher lunch program, Kosher Meals on Wheels, and the com- to move out of the home she had shared with my munity social worker are all vital links in helping hundreds of community mem- grandfather since moving to the Berkshires many bers age in place with dignity. Joe’s Project, which brings holiday care packages years earlier, she received a call from the hospi- and visits to hundreds of seniors twice a year, is a favorite among seniors and our tal notifying her that her husband, my beloved volunteers. But we can do more. grandpa Philip, had passed away. As our local population continues to age, we have seen isolation and loneliness She went forward with the move that day, become an increasing problem. Many community members can no longer get out amidst all the heartache and chaos associated of the house as easily as they used to. They miss the regular companionship of with losing her beloved spouse of over 50 years. I family and friends. We know that something a simple as a weekly friendly visit was living in Israel at the time, but would make all the difference in bringing joy I remember later thinking that de- and connection to their lives. spite the incredibly emotional and Volunteer qualifications are To this end, the Federation is launching a difficult transition it must have simple – if you are reliable, new “Friendly Visitors” program. Working in been, she was probably better off partnership with Elder Services of Berkshire in an assisted living facility. compassionate, a good listener, County, volunteers for our Jewish community When my husband and I moved back to the Berkshires, picking will be matched with at-home seniors from our up Grandma Betty (‘Bubbe,’ as my son Yonaton called her), and and sensitive to the needs of community. Together, they will plan their vis- bringing her for dinner at our house or to TJ Maxx (her favorite older adults, you will make a iting schedule and choose how to spend their place) or just visiting with her were regular activities in our weekly time. Activities could include conversation, lis- schedule. During our time in Israel, we had made similar weekly great visitor! tening to music, playing cards, doing a puzzle, visits to my husband Ofer’s grandmother, Shoshana. or just taking a walk outside. As I hear from many of our program attendees, it is hard to get Volunteer qualifications are simple. If you old – and some use harsher language to describe it. I have come to understand are reliable, compassionate, a good listener, and sensitive to the needs of older just how true that is. Many older residents, especially those who have lived here adults, you will make a great visitor! Training and support will be provided in for many years, are not as lucky as my grandmother was. There are many individ- conjunction with Elder Services and the Federation’s social worker, Marie Tiffa- uals aging in their homes, all too often without local family support. For some, it ny. More details on this new program can be found in the ad on page 14 – and is because that is what they want to do. But for many it is a financial issue. They feel free to call the Federation and speak to Susan Frisch Lehrer, our volunteer simply do not have the resources to move into an assisted living facility or to go coordinator. south to escape the bitter Berkshire winter. I think about my grandmother and I recognize the struggles she faced aging The Berkshires has long seen a graying of its population. It was an inevitable alone in her later years. I am grateful that my family and I were close by, and that result of years of job and population loss, coupled with aging baby boomers and she had easy access to activities and a community of people. I am also grateful younger people who have gravitated to the urban centers. With a median age of that we have an organization like Federation, as well as caring supporters and 44, the Berkshires is already older, on average, than any other area of the state, volunteers who will now be able to bring the community and the activities to except for Cape Cod. According to the Donahue Institute of the University of those who can no longer easily access it. Massachusetts, by 2030, people over age 50 will constitute an estimated 60 percent of the population in most Berkshire County communities. Dara Kaufman is the executive director of the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires. Federation has long worked to support this demographic. Our Connecting Letters to the Editor Heartfelt Thanks for Our Volunteers’ Tremendous Goodwill Dear Wonderful Volunteers: On Good Deeds Day in April, you all gave the residents of Pine Hill at Kimball Farms such a wonderful afternoon, with music, a therapy dog, flowers, artistic fund, and singing – and hamen- taschen! People are still speaking about it, and said: “You should definitely have them come back!” and “Book them again!” We are so grateful for your overflowing gen- erosity. You inspire all of us with your kindness and tremendous goodwill. Loving thanks from the residents and staff of Pine Hill. Your warmth made our day and then some. You did good! Sharon Lazerson Scenes from Good Deeds Day at Pine Hill, April 17. Community Outreach Coordinator for Kimball Farms ADDITIONAL LETTERS on page 4 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Berkshire Jewish Voice welcomes signed letters on subjects of interest to the Jewish community. Letters are printed upon space availability. The BJV reserves Thank you volunteers Ellen Rosenblatt and the BJV delivery team, the right to edit all letters for content, length, and style. The BJV does not print Michael Albert, Jeff Kramer, Roman Rozenblyum, and Ron Turbin anonymous letters, insults, libelous or defamatory statements. Published letters do not represent the views of the Federation, its board of directors, or the newspaper, but rather express the views of their authors. For verification purposes, please in- clude full name, home address, and a day and evening telephone number. Send CORRECTION: In the last issue of the BJV, artist Tanya Fredman’s letters to: Berkshire Jewish Voice, 196 South Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201, or email: name was misspelled. Her website is www.tanyafredman.com. [email protected]. Sivan/Tammuz 5778 Berkshire Jewish Voice • jewishberkshires.org Page 3 Rabbi Reflections A Farewell Blessing By Rabbi Josh Breindel Having served as rabbi of Temple Anshe In many ways, the unique- Amunim for almost a decade, I realize that part The uniqueness of my time in ness of my time in the Berk- of my heart is always going to be in the Berk- the Berkshires was rooted in shires was rooted in my sense shires.